Korea upset Hockeyroos in game 2 of 3 test series

Korea (1) defeated Hockeyroos (0)

Goals: Korea: Lee Soo Kyung 19 min PS.

Melville spectators turned out in force to watch the first international at Duracraft Hockey Stadium and they weren't disappointed. Korea came out with the same determination as the first test in the 3 test series and earned two penalty corners in the first few minutes but without result.

Australia then made forays into their half but were kept at bay with good Korean defence. In the 19th minute Park Mi Hyun set up a penalty, the flick hit the post and an Australian foot stopped a certain goal.

A penalty stroke was awarded and Lee Soo Kyung scooped it to the top right to put Korea in front. Korea looked strong in defence and in the midfield and the Australians were forced to run hard.

Ashleigh Nelson and Hope Munro were repeatedly attacking but to no avail. In the last five minutes of the first half Shelley Liddelow fed the ball through to the circle and Fiona Boyce had a strong shot to the right that was saved by the Korean goalie.

This was one of their few chances in the half. The second half started as a similar tussle with most of the play in the midfield. In the 12th minute of the half an Australian reverse stick tackle was considered rough and a resultant penalty corner drag flick flew high.

Soon after another agricultural tackle by Australia resulted in a second penalty corner flick, a rocket that was again wide. Comments spoken as Hope Munro left the field for an interchange gave her 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Playing with 10 seemed to bring the Australians back in focus and patiently they built play. Against this tide Kim Young Ran brought the ball into the circle and had a lightening tomahawk at goal that was smartly saved by Toni Cronk.

Australia had few more chances apart from a lifted ball in to the circle that was nearly within Liddelow's reach but was just beyond her stick.

A superbly fit Korean outfit looked fresher and sharper than Australia and the Hockeyroos will have to lift their game to win the series of three to be decided on Friday.

Source: Hockey Australia